Matt's beta | Chief Peak via Horn Canyon

From McAndrew Road, starting along an access trail to Horn Canyon.

View back along the access trial as it follows Thatcher Creek.

The access trail ends at a private road. Several signs direct hikers to the start of Horn Canyon.

Starting up Horn Canyon Trail.

Crossing Thatcher Creek.

View back down Horn Canyon. In the foreground, a group of backpackers return from a trip into the Sespe Wilderness.

Final Thatcher Creek crossing as the trail bends east into a subsidiary canyon.

Ascending an offshoot of Horn Canyon.

View back.

Gaining a spur ridge around 3,000 feet.

"The Pines" Campground.

View back toward Ojai Valley.

Chief Peak visible for the first time.

Approaching the Sisar Canyon Road junction.

Sisar Canyon Road junction.

Continuing along Sisar Canyon Road.

Merging with Nordhoff Ridge Road.

Chief Peak from Nordhoff Ridge Road.

Following Nordhoff Ridge Road as it weaves around multiple spurs to reach the base of Chief Peak.

Leaving Nordhoff Ridge Road for Chief Peak's southwest ridge.

Easy cross-country to gain the ridge.

View back.

View along Chief Peak's southwest ridge. The standard approach follows the northwest ridge, climbing over the prominence on the far left.

Class 2.

View back down the southwest ridge.

Optional Class 3 along the ridge crest. Can be bypassed to the climber's right.

Chief Peak summit. View east toward Topatopa Bluff. Sisar Peak (my next destination) is on the far right.

View northwest along the standard route. A couple of hikers can barely be seen descending the prominence on the right.

View north into the Sespe Wilderness. The white streak visible right of center is a distinct sandstone formation known as "Piedra Blanca".

Rejoining Nordhoff Ridge Road, headed toward Sisar Peak (left).

Staying left at the Sisar Canyon Road junction to continue along Nordhoff Ridge Road.

False summit of Sisar Peak on the left. A direct ridge approach is likely possible, but I opted to stay along the road.

View back toward Chief Peak.

The radio tower at Sisar Peak's summit comes into view. The road veers right, arriving at a junction with a service road the climbs Sisar Peak's south ridge.

Leaving Nordhoff Ridge Road for a service road on the left that climbs Sisar Peak's south ridge.

View back.

View east toward Topatopa Bluff.

Sisar Peak summit.

Rejoining Horn Canyon Trail at Nordhoff Ridge Road.

Following Horn Canyon Trail for three-quarters of a mile back to the intersection with Sisar Canyon Road.

Reentering Thorn Canyon.

Back at the final Thatcher Creek crossing.

Pleasant hike back down Horn Canyon. I even took a plunge in one of several pools along Thatcher Creek.

Chief Peak via Horn Canyon

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